Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence, Mr Speaker: it is not often that I welcome home the Minister for Foreign Affairs from a trip overseas with such enthusiasm as I do today. As I too come from Western Australia, I congratulate him on his persuasive advocacy to ensure that the next CHOGM meeting, to be held in Australia, will be hosted by the magnificent city of Perth. It is obviously an opportunity for us to showcase the development of Western Australia. Perth is one of the world’s great energy cities, and it will be a magnificent opportunity for Australia to showcase the fact that we are leaders in energy efficiency, energy development and mining and resources. The issue of the next meeting of CHOGM has been shrouded in some controversy. I commend the government on its ability to come up with a situation which will take away that controversy, with Sri Lanka to be the host, presumably, in 2013. I think that is a very good outcome for the Commonwealth.

As to the future of the Commonwealth, that is obviously a matter to be discussed at the meeting in Perth. A recent report questioned its relevance. The challenge for the leaders of the Commonwealth nations will be to show that it has an agenda that is relevant not only to the Commonwealth nations but also to the globe generally. I am sure that in a Liberal state, with a strong Prime Minister of this country, we will be able to forge an agenda that will take the Commonwealth forward.

I recall the last meeting of CHOGM held in Australia, in Coolum, in 2003. The current Prime Minister and I were both in Zimbabwe at that time. The Commonwealth had to deal with the extremely thorny issue of the presidential election in Zimbabwe. The very dramatic step of expelling Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth was taken. The Commonwealth still has challenges. Commonwealth countries such as Fiji and Sri Lanka are struggling to come to terms with democracy, one of the fundamental principles of the Commonwealth and one that we should continue to support and advocate for around the world. I am very pleased to join with my Western Australian colleague the Foreign Minister in congratulating the government on ensuring that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting continues, that Australia will play host and that my city of Perth will be able to showcase itself to the world.

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